Dr. Alric Christopher Blake

Dr. Alric Christopher Blake, lovingly known to many as Tony, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Columbia, SC. He was born on November 28, 1961, in Jamaica, West Indies, the only child of Lenore Grant Blake and the late Alvin Blake. He later immigrated to the United States at age seven and was raised in Queens, New York. A brilliant scholar, Alric earned his B.A. degree in Psychobiology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virgina, earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ and went on to a prestigious Ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. He completed his fellowship in Glaucoma at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York. From a very young age, Alric embraced his faith, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and remained a devoted church member throughout his life. After marrying his sweetheart Jill and completing his Glaucoma Fellowship, Alric and Jill moved to Columbia, SC, just thirty days after the birth of their first son Christopher. There, Alric began practicing his distinguished career in Ophthalmology with Eye Specialists of the Midlands. The Blakes quickly became active members of the Columbia community, joining First Northeast Baptist Church, the Congaree Medical Dental and Pharmaceutical Association and various other organizations. Within just two years, Alric opened his own ophthalmology practice called Carolina Glaucoma and Vision Center becoming the only Board-Certified Glaucoma specialist in the Midlands for many years. Shortly thereafter, their family grew with the arrival of their second son Jared. Over time, their circle of friends, colleagues, and community involvement deepened. As a family, the Blakes remained actively involved in the growth and expansion of their church where Alric served in various leadership capacities including as a Trustee and various key roles in the planning and construction of a new church sanctuary. Alric was a devoted family man, a caring, well-respected ophthalmologist, an adventurous traveler and a mentor to many young people aspiring toward a medical career. He also served on the Admissions Committees for various medical schools including University of South Carolina Medical School and his alma mater Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. Alric loved to travel with his family and friends, creating lasting memories with loved ones and vacationing extensively throughout the Caribbean and the United States. He is survived by his wife Jill Davis Blake; his two sons Alric Christopher Blake, Jr. and Jared Alexander Davis Blake; his mother, Lenore Kidd, his father, Stanley Kidd; brother Stephen Kidd, sister Juliet Ramcharan; mother-in-law Dolores Davis; aunts Daphne Powell and Gloria Ewen; cousins Christeen Pinnock, Sonia Pinnock, Polly Stewart and a host of friends and family. Alric’s life was a testament to dedication—both to his profession and to his family. Alric will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations made to any of the following organizations in Dr. Alric Blake’s honor: 1. The National Kidney Foundation of the Carolinas (https://www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-carolinas) 2. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/) 3. First Northeast Baptist Church (https://www.fnebc.org/)

Dr. Alric Christopher Blake

November 28, 1961 - June 6, 2026